Mistakes

Child Student visa: the mistakes that get Indian files refused

Direct answer

8 mistakes get Indian Child Student visa files refused more than any rule does, starting with the consent letter was signed by one parent only, with no court order or death certificate to explain the other parent's absence and the fixed deposit receipt was filed without a bank letter confirming that the money can be withdrawn before maturity. Each one below with what it costs and the fix, beside the paragraphs officers cite.

Reviewed by UK Visa Desk counselling team, Visa counsellors, Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd, Patiala. Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024. Last verified 8 October 2026.

From the desk

Mistakes we see

From files Indian applicants have brought to the desk after a refusal, most frequent first. The fix is what the reapplication must show.

Mistakes in Indian files, their consequence and the fix
The mistake	What it costs	The fix
The consent letter was signed by one parent only, with no court order or death certificate to explain the other parent's absence.	Refusal under the parental consent requirement, and a second CAS from the school is not automatic.	Both parents sign one letter in front of a notary, with passport or Aadhaar copies, or attach the document that shows why one signature suffices.
The fixed deposit receipt was filed without a bank letter confirming that the money can be withdrawn before maturity.	The deposit is treated as inaccessible and the funds fall short of the fees on the CAS.	Ask the branch for a letter on its letterhead stating the amount, the names, the date opened and that premature withdrawal is permitted.
The money sat in a grandparent's or uncle's account rather than the parents' or the child's.	Funds in the account of a relative other than a parent or legal guardian are not accepted, so the application fails on finance.	Move the money to the parents' account at least 28 days before the statement date, and expect the officer to ask where it came from.
The CAS came from a college or state school that does not hold a Student sponsor licence for children.	The CAS is invalid and the application is refused outright.	Check the school's name on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors before paying any deposit.
The care arrangement was described vaguely, for example a family friend will look after him, without the school's approval.	Refusal under the Appendix Child Student care requirement, the most common reason on Punjab files.	Get the school's written approval of the named guardian, with the guardian's address, immigration status and relationship to the child.
A parent applied on the Parent of a Child Student route for a child aged 12 or over.	The parent is refused, and if the child's file relied on the parent for care it fails too.	For a child of 12 or over arrange boarding or a school-approved guardian, and let the parent visit on a Standard Visitor visa instead.
The tuberculosis test was skipped because the child is young.	The application is refused or held until a certificate is produced, often missing the school start.	Book the approved clinic early; under-11s get a clinical assessment rather than an X-ray.
The fee receipts did not match the fees-paid figure on the CAS.	The officer treats the CAS as inaccurate and may refuse under the CAS requirement.	Ask the school to update the CAS so the deposit and any instalment match the receipts to the pound.

The grounds officers cite

Care arrangements not shown or not approved by the school (Appendix Child Student, care requirement)
Funds not held for 28 days, or in an account the parents cannot show they control
Consent letter from one parent only without an explanation of the other parent's absence
CAS issued by a school that does not hold the right licence or for a course that is not full-time
Parent of a Child Student application refused, leaving a child under 12 with no approved carer

9.2.1

Exclusion or deportation order in force

A mandatory refusal: you were deported from the UK or formally excluded, and that order is still in force. No visa can be granted until the order is revoked.

What to fix: apply for revocation of the deportation order (normally after 10 years, earlier only in exceptional cases) with a UK regulated adviser; do not submit new visa applications while the order stands; each refusal adds to the record.

Decode 9.2.1

9.3.1

Presence not conducive to the public good

The officer considers your behaviour, character or associations make you unsuitable, for example extremism, serious dishonesty not covered by other paragraphs, or a pattern of conduct abroad. Used rarely but it is mandatory.

What to fix: obtain the full reasons (ask for the decision notice and consider a Subject Access Request); character evidence and clearance certificates; this ground usually needs legal representation.

Decode 9.3.1

9.4.1

Criminality: custodial sentence of 12 months or more, persistent offender, serious harm

A mandatory refusal for a prison sentence of 12 months or more anywhere in the world, or for repeat offending or serious-harm offences. Sentences under 12 months are considered under 9.4.2 to 9.4.5 (discretionary, with time limits for visitors).

What to fix: always declare convictions; non-disclosure leads to a 9.7.1 deception finding on top; for shorter sentences, show the time elapsed and rehabilitation evidence; get the court record and sentence length in English.

Decode 9.4.1

9.7.1

False representations or documents, or failure to disclose (mandatory where deception used)

The Home Office says something in your application was false: a fake bank statement, an edited employer letter, an undisclosed previous refusal, or a document an agent made up without telling you. 'Whether or not to the applicant's knowledge' means you are refused even if the agent did it. Where deception is found, a 10-year ban under 9.8.4 usually follows.

What to fix: get your file: Subject Access Request to UKVI for the verification notes; if a document was genuine, obtain written confirmation from the issuer and a statement from them; if an agent submitted documents without your knowledge, gather the agent's receipts, messages and a police complaint; it does not remove the finding but can matter for later applications.

Decode 9.7.1

9.7.2

False representations without proven deception (discretionary refusal)

A discretionary version: a previous application contained something false and the officer has chosen to refuse this one because of it, without a formal deception finding. The difference matters: 9.7.2 does not by itself bring the 10-year ban.

What to fix: address the earlier problem head-on in a cover letter with the correct documents; show that the current application is fully consistent with the earlier one where the earlier one was true.

Decode 9.7.2

9.7.3

False documents in a previous application (discretionary)

Earlier deception, even in another route, can be used to refuse you for up to 10 years at the officer's discretion.

What to fix: count the 10 years from the date of the deceptive application; if you dispute the original finding, challenge it with issuer evidence rather than reapplying repeatedly.

Decode 9.7.3

Every refusal paragraph for this route

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Punjab licence: 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024valid to 22 July 2029
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